Need Help Finding Good Birth Control

Mirena, it is an IUD but it is plastic. I had one inserted in June of 2006 and have had no problems or side effects. It is worth looking into.

consider the IUD. my hubby and I are done having kids but don't want to do anything permanant "just in case". I got the Paraguard IUD a few months ago and i LOVE it!

Hi M.: i am new to mamasource. I just happened to read your query. IUD is a great form of birth control- there are two types the "paragard" which is non hormonal and could last for 10 years - with a yearly check up with the obgyn and the other is for 5 years- its called "mirena" which is haromne releasing and its for 5 years. Both these are inserted into your body through the vagina- its very small. I use the paragard and i love it. If you would like more info on it here is a site- you can also google search info on IUDs. Goodluck! Maya
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUD

Hello. I agree with the others, the IUD has been great. I have a Mirena IUD, which is good for 5 years. I never think about it at all. The only side effect (so far, and I've been on it for two years) has been the loss of my period. I think there was spotting the first couple of months too.

I used to get Depo (the shot), but I was unhappy with it. I gained weight, and I seemed to be more moody (although that may have been because of all the weight I gained). And there have been recent reports of Depo increasing your risk of osteoporosis, so I would definitely do a lot of research before going on it.

Another option (if you definitely don't want any more kids) might be to get your tubes tied (a tubal ligation is what I think it's called). I don't know much about it, but it's not as drastic as a hysteroctemy. Good luck.

I used the Ring for a while but when we decided to start trying we got pregnant right away. I liked it though b/c I didn't have to think about it, but once a month. I am actually thinking I'm going to do the IUD this time though. But Im not sure. I heard you bleed for a long time after you get it and I don't want to bleed!

I was in the same boat you are. I started out on the pill, couldn't remember to take it so switched to the depo shot.
I was on that for years until I started to get hormonal migraines (not fun). After discontinuing the shot i didn't use anything as we wanted to try and have our 1st daughter. After she was born, I went on the patch but started to have the hormonal migraines from that as well and went to the pill again. Once again, i kept forgetting to take the dang thing and that is why my girls are only 16 mth apart. We then decided that we did not want any more kids and i got my tubes tied and 2 mths later due to medical reasons had a hytsterectomy. Good Luck

I can't remember to take pills consistantly at all. I have been on and off of the Depo shot for a few years and love it. Mostly because PMS and monthly periods are GONE! Also I only have to get a shot every 3mos. and it's not something I have to remember on a daily basis.

I found that the IUD works best for me. I am a full time student, working part time, and I have 3 small boys (divorced mom). I can never remember the pill and the hormones and I do not mix very well. The IUD is placed inside your uterus and can stay there for up to 10 years (5 years if you have the hormone one, I do not, I have the copper one). It costs about $1800 to get done, but then you do not have to worry about it for a good ten years. I enjoy it since I do not plan on having any kids, and being only 26, I don't want to go for a complete procedure incase I would like more later on. Good luck.

There is a newer product called the Nuvaring. It is like a clear jelly bracelet that you insert into your vagina and then jusst leave it there for three weeks. You dont have to think about it or anything, it just sits there and you cannot feel it. At the end of three weeks you take it out, allow your period to come, and then after a week, put a new ring in.

It worked really great for me... the only downfall is that sometimes during sex, depending on how you do it, the ring would come out. So I would usually check for it after sex to make sure it stayed in place. Otherwise I LOVED it.

Hi, I have two boys one is going to be 2 in may and the other is 4 months old. I feel the same way you do about taking the pill and all that stuff. So I talked to my doctor and they have a new implant coming out. You should talk to your ob about it. I am getting mine sometime the end of next month.

Hi - I recently gave birth to twins in September and thought I would try the Mirena IUD as a form of birth control. Prior to conceiving our twins my husband and I used the pill and condoms and I have to say the Mirena is fantastic. No cramping, PMS, trips to the drug store, forgetting, copays, refills, just a monthly check for the strings. I think most insurance companies pay for it, and it took about 3 mn for my OB to insert. Good luck, M.

get your tubes tighed. i was called furtal murtle and glad to be done with the worring.

M.,

I have had the ParaGuard IUD for quite a few years and have no complaints. It's non hormonal and has improved our sex-life, no need to worry about any barrier methods of birth control as I've tried everything and those hormones really throw my body off and I can't deal with all the side effects. I like having a regular cycle every month. Please see: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/...

S.
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I agree try the IUD I am in the same thing I did not want to have my husband do something as we are both 28 and you never know what life might bring.

Good luck

I'm on the IUD band wagon too. I had the paraguard after my first son and it was fabulous! I am due w/ our third child in August and plan on going back to it. I'm not ready to have my tubes tied and I don't think hubby wants "the surgery" either. The only thing you have to decide is whether you want the Mirena (hormones and only good for 5 years) or the Paraguard (no hormones and good for 10 years).

I also have the Mirena IUD. I had it inserted at 6 wks PP, because my Medical Assistance was about to end and I knew I would not be able to pay for it myself. We are still BFing, DS is 18 months old, and I didn't have any spotting until he was around 14 months. I've had 2 anovulatory periods, spotting really, since. I just bring all this up so if you BF you have some idea of what you can expect.

But since the IUD suggestion obviously is really prevalent here, I'll suggest an alternate just for the sake of knowing your options... Sympto-Thermal Method, otherwise known as Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). It involves taking your temp before getting out of bed daily and charting it to corroborate with other physical signs of impending ovulation, and afterwards if ovulation has actually occurred and when. This way you know exactly when it's possible to get pregnant, and after you ovulate, exactly when you can resume unprotected sex. You can always use a barrier method while you're fertile. There is software available to help with your charting as well.

Here's an interesting website and book, which I found totally fascinating. I'm not Catholic, btw, just a bit of a hippie who wants to know more about her body. May or may not be a good fit for you, but education is always for the best isn't it? At any rate, I am about to have my IUD removed and go in this direction for birth control.

www.ovusoft.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060881909/lifecyc...

Good luck with whatever you decide and congats, I hope you get your girl!

Hi,
I recommend Mirena IUD ... very effective but it has some side effects (every woman is different though) like mood swings, weight gain ... but i really like how light your cycle becomes after ouple months of using it. used iy twice so far and loving it

I too had a difficult time finding birth control that worked for me so I decided to try the Depot shot. While there are benefits to the Depot = 1 shot every 3 months and no period! I would certainly be cautious and talk to your doctor about it. I was on it for 4 years and because it stops the flow of hormones it sent me into depression at which my point my Dr. took me off it and recommended no birth control so my hormones could get back to normal.
I also tried Nuvaring for a few months which was just okay. It kept falling out! And during sex my boyfriend and I could both feel it and that was all too weird. The good thing about Nuvaring though is that it doesn't interrupt the flow of hormones and still keeps your cycle normal.
Good luck!

I personally was a big fan of the patch. I only had to change it once a week. Congrats on the baby on the way.

I am very furtile as well, we had our third child while I was on the pill and he used a condom (that broke)...
I have tried pills, depo, condoms, and my latest is the NUVA ring and it has been a blessing.
It so comfortable you don't even know your wearing it. Can't put it in wrong. You put it in and leave it in for three weeks, then take it out for a week, (I don't even have a period or cramps) then replace it for anouther three weeks. This is a no brainer birthcontrol and highly recommend it.

I like the others will advice WITH GETTING the IUD implanted! It has been wonderful and I do not have a period. It has been 3 years since my last period and LOVE the low stress and worry-free lovin!

Wow you got a lot of responces! In my opinion i would definally stay away from the depo shot. It causes sooo many problems. IT stops your periods and if you ever want to get off it it could take up to a year to get your periods back and to be regular again. plus depo lowers your sex drive. I would try the IUD. IF you dont want any hormones in ya then try the paragard iud... Good luck with your search....

Hi M.-

I would recommend the Mirena IUD. I had one placed in October and have never had any problems. It is so convienient and I only have slight spotting when it comes to my menstral cycle. I don't even know that it is there. It is also very effective.

Good Luck.

M.

When I turned 40 and still smoked cigs the OB/GYN wouldn't give me any more birth control pills. Too risky. So now I get a Depo shot every three months, keeps me from getting pregnant, and I don't have a monthly period either.
I should just get my tubes tied, but it costs such a big co-payment with my health insurance. BTW, I have a 14 year old son, and I also got pregnant within a couple weeks of going off the birth control pills back in 1992.